SAN DIEGO (FOX 5/KUSI) — Civilian-operated drones are an ever-growing presence in the sky, but in recent weeks, the pitfalls of their ubiquity have been on full display. Last month, a Florida boy had to undergo open heart surgery for injuries sustained when several drones suddenly fell onto him at a holiday light show. Then, as crews were still racing on Friday to gain some semblance of control over the ferocious Palisades Fire, a firefighting aircraft had to be grounded after an unauthorized civilian drone flew into it, damaging its wing. L.A. fire victims find refuge in San Diego Here in San Diego, on the same day as the incident in Los Angeles, a Torrey Pines hang glider was forced to make an emergency landing when a drone became entwined in his parachute. The hang glider, who shared a Go-Pro video of the run in on YouTube, says the collision caused two tears to the parachute and cut two lines, among other damages. Thankfully, he was uninjured in the incident. Federal officials say it is generally legal to fly a drone in non-controlled air spaces if it is operated under 400 feet, avoids all other aircraft — like hang gliders — and abides by other rules mandated by the Federal Aviation Administration, as well as state and local authorities. Behind the scenes at a fire task force staging area in East County Civilian drone operations are barred in the area of the Torrey Pines State Reserve from Del Mar's 6th Street in the north and the glider port in the south due to its "natural reserve" designation, according to park rangers. According to the hang glider's flight log, the collision also appeared to have occurred while he was hovering around 400 feet in the air. The hang glider said he reported the incident to both the FAA and San Diego Police Department. Federal officials say incidents like the one in Torrey Pines and Los Angeles underscore the importance of responsible drone operation. For those who have drones or want to get into flying the aircraft, a comprehensive guide for safe operation can be found on the FAA website.